Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has resurfaced with a computer-animated feature project set in the anthropomorphized world of bees, BEE MOVIE, to be made at DreamWorks. Imagine a Manhattan-like setting buzzing with bees. That's what hooked DreamWorks principal Steven Spielberg when the two recently huddled at the Hamptons and started discussing animated movie ideas.
DreamWorks principal Jeffrey Katzenberg, adds, "Jerry Seinfeld is one of the most brilliant and unique comic minds of our time. It has been a dream of mine for over 10 years to be in business with him, and during that time, I have been willing to put myself in any number of potentially humiliating situations in order to demonstrate my unflagging appreciation of his talent. We were delighted when he came to us with his wonderfully funny concept for an animated feature and even more thrilled to be the studio that will bring Jerry Seinfeld's comedy to the big screen."
Seinfeld's manager, Howard West, of Shapiro-West, commented, "Studios have been courting Jerry for years following the success of 'Seinfeld,' but it wasn't until he met with the creative minds at DreamWorks that Jerry decided to do a film. We are very excited to be working with the proven DreamWorks team on this new endeavor."
Seinfeld stated, "I have always been fascinated by bee society, the world's most harmoniously run organization, and now I finally am going to be in it. The enthusiasm of Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg for this idea is the main reason I decided to do it."
Considering Katzenberg's affinity for urban, edgy, computer-animated comedies (the SHREKs, SHARK TALE, MADAGASCAR, OVER THE HEDGE) BEE MOVIE should fit right in with DreamWorks' upcoming slate.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
